Authenticity assessment of 2-and 3-methylbutanol using enantioselective and or C-13/C-12 isotope ratio analysis

Enantioselective gas chromatography and/or C-13/C-12 isotope ratio analysis are suitable tools for the authenticity assessment of the fusel alcohols, 2- and 3-methylbutanol (1 and 2, respectively). The chiral compound, 1 is b iosynthesised almost completely as the (S)enantiomer, regardless of which c arbohydrate source is used for fermentation. The type of CO2 fixation and s ome plant-specific influences were of prime importance to the C-13/C-12 iso tope ratios of the starting materials in alcoholic fermentation, and the de lta(13)C values of 1 and 2 differed' significantly. In general, the delta(1 3)C values of 2 were about 4-5 parts per thousand lower than those of 1 pro duced via the same fermentation process. C-13/C-12 isotope ratio analysis r esults can be used to determine between fusel alcohols produced from differ ent sources, and provides a new and valuable method of authenticity assessm ent.